question about the Arizona draw process

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jaeger63

New Member
Jun 14, 2015
42
2
Colorado Springs, Co
When I started building preference points in AZ 13 years ago I'm pretty sure it was a true preference point system where the tags went to the holders with the most points. I've just been building points and not really following what has been going on with the draw system and was unaware of this change. It now seems that only 20 percent of the tags go to the people with the
most points and the rest are random draw. When did this change in the process take place and I'd like to hear some thoughts on it. I feel like I may have eventually caught unit 9 or 10 some day but now I'm not sure I will ever draw it with so few tags going to NR's now. Did I waste my money buying a PP for all those years?
 
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Thomas11

Member
Apr 22, 2013
92
2
South alabama
I've been applying for 5 years and it's always been 20% bonus and 80 % random. I'm not sure how many yrs ago that it changed. But I think to guarantee a unit 9 archery in bonus pass it's like 19 points this year? So u might try and go w a different unit. I think u would fairly close to drawing a 27 or 3a archery but i Havent looked that close at their odds from last yr
 
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WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,384
53
Bend, Orygun
The system has not changed in the last 13 years, I've been applying longer than that.
First question, do you have the loyalty and hunter ed points so you're now at 15 points?
For unit 9 archery, they drew 4 of 21 NR apps from the 18 point pool. Residents can draw with 13, and just to add some icing to the cake, there are about 150 NR with points from 14-18 and not a single resident app. At 5 Bonus Pass tags/year NR are gonna be waiting a looong time for that hunt.
I have only 5 and I believe I'll be hunting Az this year. I'd love to have 13+
 
Umpqua Hunter

Umpqua Hunter

Veteran member
May 26, 2011
3,576
88
60
North Umpqua, Oregon
jaeger63 said:
When I started building preference points in AZ 13 years ago I'm pretty sure it was a true preference point system where the tags went to the holders with the most points. I've just been building points and not really following what has been going on with the draw system and was unaware of this change. It now seems that only 20 percent of the tags go to the people with the
most points and the rest are random draw. When did this change in the process take place and I'd like to hear some thoughts on it. I feel like I may have eventually caught unit 9 or 10 some day but now I'm not sure I will ever draw it with so few tags going to NR's now. Did I waste my money buying a PP for all those years?
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You certainly did not did not waste your money with buying points. There are a lot of great hunts besides Unit 9 and 10 archery. If you think you will catch Unit 9 archery you do have a long wait, I am at 18 points and I will likely go for another hunt since 9 archery is likely 5 years out, but as I said there are a lot of great choices for some amazing elk hunting experiences.

Now with that said, my last tag was a Unit 9 archery tag, and the hunt was absolutely brutal, despite going with one of the better outfitters. It was a hard drought year and on that desert unit the elk were just shut down. The point being, waiting for the "best" does not necessarily guarantee you a great hunt.
 
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jaeger63

New Member
Jun 14, 2015
42
2
Colorado Springs, Co
Umpqua Hunter and Wapiti Bob,
Thanks much for your insight. Perhaps I was mistaken about the changes in the draw process. It does not appear I would ever catch Unit 9 or 10 with preference points as I'm now 53 years old. I suppose I will start doing my research for some alternate units that I may actually have a chance of drawing someday. Would either of you be willing to share any insight on some other good units. Thanks very much
 
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jaeger63

New Member
Jun 14, 2015
42
2
Colorado Springs, Co
I do have a loyalty point but I still need to do the field day event to get my hunter ed point. I just put in for a point for 2017 so I'm going into 2017 with 12 points. I was not planning to try and draw a unit for 2017. I'm just starting to look at possibilities for either 2018 or 2019. Thanks much
 
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WapitiBob

Veteran member
Mar 1, 2011
1,384
53
Bend, Orygun
So you have 11 points currently, 12 after the draw because of the point purchase, and the hunter ed point in 2017 makes 13 going into 2018.

I would scratch 1, 3a, 9, 10, and 27 off the list. Some decent hunts in the 4-8 units and you can draw several of those.
 
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SouthForkguy

Member
Oct 11, 2015
100
1
Wisconsin price county
I personally think that some of Arizona's less advertised hunt area's and also the "non-premier" seasons ie muzzleloader, late rifle are the way to go. An early rifle or archery would be fantastic but most likely out of reach for non residents. My plan is to apply for a late rifle tag until i draw or have built up a few points to try my luck in the random pool in a "premier" season.
 
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swampokie

Veteran member
Jul 29, 2013
1,164
91
46
Haworth Oklahoma
This is exactly my strategy. But if you all want to shoot for the moon be my guest. The more late tags the better!
SouthForkguy said:
I personally think that some of Arizona's less advertised hunt area's and also the "non-premier" seasons ie muzzleloader, late rifle are the way to go. An early rifle or archery would be fantastic but most likely out of reach for non residents. My plan is to apply for a late rifle tag until i draw or have built up a few points to try my luck in the random pool in a "premier" season.
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